Reactivity of pi-cyclopentadienyl cobalt dicarbonyl with free phosphines -Isolation and properties of phosphorus bridged clusters

The compounds (pi -CpCo)(3)(CO)(2)PPh (1), (pi -CpCo)(3)(CO) (PPh)(2) (2) a nd (pi -CpCo)(3)(CO)PCl (3) have been isolated from the reaction of dichlor ophenylphosphine, PPhCl2 and trichlorophosphine, PCl3 respectively with pi -cyclopentadienylcobaltdicarbonyl, pi -CpCo(CO)(2). Decarbonylated products , (pi -CpCo)(3) (mu -CO)PPh, (4), (pi -CpCo)(3) (PPh)(2) (5) and (pi -CpCo) (3) (mu -CO)P, (6) are formed on reactions of (1), (2) and (3) respectively with PPh3. The reactions between Fe-3 (CO)(12) and (2) or (3) stabilises ( pi -CPCO)(2)Fe(CO)(4) (PPh)(2) (7) or (pi -CpCo)(3)Fe (CO)(5)PCl (8). The c haracteristics of the products have been ascertained by analytical and spec troscopic measurements.